Sustainable University

2 0 1 9 A N N U A L R E P O RT

Václavka – the first student community garden in the Czech Republic

University as a leader The transformation to sustainable development is one of society’s greatest challenges in this century, and universities should be leaders in strengthening social responsibility and supporting environmentally favourable behaviour. Let us present some UP initiatives that enforce these principles.

71 |

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC

Sustainable Palacký

Two dozen students from diverse faculties organise film showings on the theme of sustainability, panel discussions, workshops, field trips, and clothes swaps. They are also aiming at systemic changes throughout the university in the area of waste management and responsible energy use. Sustainable Palacký is meant to further inspire other universities, associations, initiatives, and individuals. Its many projects include the Václavka community garden in the dorms complex, Freeshop, and the Free Food food-sharing platform. They have also organised a number of workshops where e.g. participants make their own shopping bags, vegetable milks, and packaging-free laundry detergent.

recycling at the dorms

This long-term project aims to increase the level of recycling at the dormitories. Thanks to the active approach of UP Accommodation and Dining, it has been able to serve two hundred students. Sustainable Palacký mediated the information campaign, issuing and collecting recycling bins which UP students now have the possibility of using, and in doing so reduced the volume of communal waste which ends up in dumps and/or incinerators.

wave of sustainability

In 2019, Academia Film Olomouc and Olomouc Ecology Days also focussed on the trending societal theme of climate crisis and sustainable development. Members of the Sustainable Palacký co-organised a sustainable fashion show and discussion on the problem of the fashion industry’s impact on the environment. Sustainability was also the theme of the international World on Your Plate festival, in which the association also took part.

let’s clean up olomouc

In April, the initiative joined in the nationwide event Let’s Clean Up Czechia. Three dozen volunteers took part in the fourth year of the Olomouc clean-up in city parks and surroundings.

freeshop

People can bring things they no longer desire to the Freeshop, located in the Bedřich Václavek dorms, and know that someone will find a use for them. Most often these are kitchen utensils, clothing, and books. The project has proven to be especially useful for international students.

václavka

The first student community garden in the Czech Republic. Students can pick their own herbs and vegetables here, and it also hosts concerts and barbecues.

fill ’er up

The project Dolej si/Fill ’Er UP has the goal of finding and signing firms and shops where people can fill up

| 72

2 0 1 9 A N N U A L R E P O RT

their own water bottles for free, thus reducing the waste of empty PET bottles. The Olomouc project has expanded nationwide, and now counts more than 350 participating places of business.

UP Volunteering Centre

The UP Volunteering Centre organised the third annual UP Volunteer Days, an event aimed at promoting and highlighting volunteering among students. At the event, the UP Rector awarded 8 UP students for their volunteering service. More than 300 students and 24 organisations registered via the Centre’s web application, which serves to connect UP students and employees willing to do volunteer work with organisations looking for volunteers. More than 150 volunteering opportunities were advertised. Another activity of the Centre is aimed at lectures and workshops on volunteering and civic involvement.

The Centre initiated and co-organised a workgroup session made up of representatives from non-profit organisations and local government with the goal of supporting the development of volunteering in both the city and the Olomouc region.

UP Bike

The UP Bike initiative was founded to expand cycling culture and support city bicycle transportation and student bike activities. It cooperates with the bike loan firm Rekola, the university shop UPoint (cycling accessories), and is also attached to the campaign Go to Work by Bike – Homo Cycliens and Go to School by Bike. Within the project Ride2sCool, UP students accompany schoolchildren on their way to and from school. UP Bike also takes part in the international events Car-Free Days and the Academic Bicycle Challenge, where the goal is to accumulate the most kilometres on bike. UP was responsible for 3,412 km out of the total of 570,990 km.

Seedbank

Now in its third year, the Seedbank at the UP Faculty of Science Botanical Garden shares seeds for vegetables and decorative plants from gardeners’ own cultivars. Gardeners from Olomouc and its surroundings are showing ever-increasing interest in sharing seeds this way. ■

↑ Rector’s Prize winners for Volunteering

73 |

PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY OLOMOUC

| 74